Magnetic tape cartridge with increased data storage capacity

ABSTRACT

A tape cartridge for retaining a magnetic tape, the tape cartridge being configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive, includes a cartridge body and a cartridge hub. The cartridge body includes a cartridge length from a front to a rear of the cartridge body, and a cartridge width from a first side to a second side of the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is positioned within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub includes a hub diameter. The cartridge length and the cartridge width provide boundaries for a maximum wound tape diameter as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body. A ratio of the maximum wound tape diameter to the hub diameter is at least approximately 3.50:1.

The present invention is directed toward an LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification. In various embodiments, the LTO compatible tape cartridge includes a cartridge body, a magnetic tape, and a cartridge hub. The cartridge body has a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification. The magnetic tape is retained within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is positioned within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub includes a hub diameter that is less than or equal to approximately 35.00 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the hub diameter is between approximately 5.00 millimeters and 35.00 millimeters.

In certain embodiments, the hub diameter is less than or equal to approximately 20.00 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the cartridge body includes a cartridge length that is measured from a front to a rear of the cartridge body, and a cartridge width that is measured from a first side to a second side of the cartridge body. The cartridge length and the cartridge width provide boundaries for a maximum wound tape diameter as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body. In certain embodiments, the maximum wound tape diameter can be at least approximately 97.50 millimeters.

In certain embodiments, the cartridge length of the cartridge body is approximately 102 millimeters; and the cartridge width of the cartridge body is approximately 105 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the cartridge body has a body thickness of less than approximately 1.25 millimeters.

In certain embodiments, one or more cutout sections are formed into the cartridge body.

In many embodiments, the cartridge body further includes a cartridge height that is measured from a top to a bottom of the cartridge body. In some embodiments, the magnetic tape has a tape width that is at least approximately 13.50 millimeters.

In certain embodiments, the cartridge height of the cartridge body is approximately 21.50 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the LTO compatible tape cartridge further includes a drive engaging member that is coupled to the cartridge hub. In certain embodiments, the tape drive includes a cartridge engaging member that selectively engages the drive engaging member, a cartridge reel motor that rotates the cartridge engaging member, the drive engaging member and the cartridge hub as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that moves the cartridge engaging member so that the cartridge engaging member engages the drive engaging member. In some embodiments, the drive engaging member has a diameter that is greater than the hub diameter.

In certain embodiments, the LTO compatible tape cartridge further includes an alignment assembly that is coupled to the cartridge body. The alignment assembly includes an alignment roller that is in contact with an outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that is coupled to the alignment roller. The resilient member provides a biasing force such that the alignment roller is always in contact with the outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub.

The present invention is also directed toward an LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification, the LTO compatible tape cartridge including a cartridge body having a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification; a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge body; and a cartridge hub that is positioned within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub being configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body; wherein the magnetic tape has a tape width of at least approximately 13.50 millimeters.

The present invention is further directed toward an LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification, the LTO compatible tape cartridge including a cartridge body having a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification, the cartridge body includes a cartridge length that is measured from a front to a rear of the cartridge body, a cartridge width that is measured from a first side to a second side of the cartridge body, a cartridge height that is measured from a top to a bottom of the cartridge body, and a body thickness of less than approximately 1.25 millimeters; a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge body, the magnetic tape having a tape width that is between approximately 13.50 millimeters and 18.00 millimeters; a cartridge hub that is positioned within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub being configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub including a hub diameter that is between approximately 5.00 millimeters and 35.00 millimeters; and an alignment assembly that is coupled to the cartridge body, the alignment assembly including an alignment roller that is in contact with an outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that is coupled to the alignment roller, the resilient member providing a biasing force such that the alignment roller is always in contact with the outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub; wherein the cartridge length and the cartridge width provide boundaries for a maximum wound tape diameter as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body; and wherein the maximum wound tape diameter is at least approximately 97.50 millimeters.

An LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification includes a cartridge body, a magnetic tape, and a cartridge hub. The cartridge body has a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification. The magnetic tape is retained within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is positioned within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub is configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body. The cartridge hub includes a hub diameter that is less than or equal to approximately 35.00 millimeters. 

1. An LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification, the LTO compatible tape cartridge comprising: a cartridge body having a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification; a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge body; and a cartridge hub that is positioned within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub being configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub including a hub diameter that is less than or equal to approximately 35.00 millimeters.
 2. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hub diameter is between approximately 5.00 millimeters and 35.00 millimeters.
 3. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein the hub diameter is less than or equal to approximately 20.00 millimeters.
 4. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein the cartridge body includes a cartridge length that is measured from a front to a rear of the cartridge body, and a cartridge width that is measured from a first side to a second side of the cartridge body; wherein the cartridge length and the cartridge width provide boundaries for a maximum wound tape diameter as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body; and wherein the maximum wound tape diameter is at least approximately 97.50 millimeters.
 5. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 4 wherein the cartridge length of the cartridge body is approximately 102 millimeters; and wherein the cartridge width of the cartridge body is approximately 105 millimeters.
 6. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 5 wherein the cartridge body has a body thickness of less than approximately 1.25 millimeters.
 7. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 5 wherein one or more cutout sections are formed into the cartridge body.
 8. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 wherein the cartridge body further includes a cartridge height that is measured from a top to a bottom of the cartridge body; and wherein the magnetic tape has a tape width that is at least approximately 13.50 millimeters.
 9. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 8 wherein the cartridge height of the cartridge body is approximately 21.50 millimeters.
 10. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a drive engaging member that is coupled to the cartridge hub; wherein the tape drive includes a cartridge engaging member that selectively engages the drive engaging member, a cartridge reel motor that rotates the cartridge engaging member, the drive engaging member and the cartridge hub as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that moves the cartridge engaging member so that the cartridge engaging member engages the drive engaging member; and wherein the drive engaging member has a diameter that is greater than the hub diameter.
 11. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 1 further comprising an alignment assembly that is coupled to the cartridge body, the alignment assembly including an alignment roller that is in contact with an outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that is coupled to the alignment roller, the resilient member providing a biasing force such that the alignment roller is always in contact with the outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub.
 12. An LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification, the LTO compatible tape cartridge comprising: a cartridge body having a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification; a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge body; and a cartridge hub that is positioned within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub being configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body; wherein the magnetic tape has a tape width of at least approximately 13.50 millimeters.
 13. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 wherein the tape width is between approximately 13.50 millimeters and 18.00 millimeters.
 14. The tape cartridge of claim 12 wherein the tape width is at least approximately 16.50 millimeters.
 15. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 wherein the cartridge body including a cartridge height that is measured from a top to a bottom of the cartridge body; and wherein the cartridge height of the cartridge body is approximately 21.50 millimeters.
 16. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 wherein the cartridge hub does not include a flange assembly that is coupled thereto.
 17. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 wherein the cartridge body has a body thickness of less than approximately 1.25 millimeters.
 18. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 further comprising a drive engaging member that is coupled to the cartridge hub; wherein the tape drive includes a cartridge engaging member that selectively engages the drive engaging member, a cartridge reel motor that rotates the cartridge engaging member, the drive engaging member and the cartridge hub as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that moves the cartridge engaging member so that the cartridge engaging member engages the drive engaging member; wherein the cartridge hub includes a hub diameter that is less than or equal to approximately 35.00 millimeters; and wherein the drive engaging member has a diameter that is greater than the hub diameter.
 19. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 12 further comprising an alignment assembly that is coupled to the cartridge body, the alignment assembly including an alignment roller that is in contact with an outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that is coupled to the alignment roller, the resilient member providing a biasing force such that the alignment roller is always in contact with the outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub.
 20. An LTO compatible tape cartridge that is configured to be selectively positioned substantially within a tape drive that operates in compliance with an LTO specification, the LTO compatible tape cartridge comprising: a cartridge body having a size and shape that is suitable for use within the tape drive that operates in compliance with the LTO specification, the cartridge body includes a cartridge length that is measured from a front to a rear of the cartridge body, a cartridge width that is measured from a first side to a second side of the cartridge body, a cartridge height that is measured from a top to a bottom of the cartridge body, and a body thickness of less than approximately 1.25 millimeters; a magnetic tape that is retained within the cartridge body, the magnetic tape having a tape width that is between approximately 13.50 millimeters and 18.00 millimeters; a cartridge hub that is positioned within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub being configured so that the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body, the cartridge hub including a hub diameter that is between approximately 5.00 millimeters and 35.00 millimeters; and an alignment assembly that is coupled to the cartridge body, the alignment assembly including an alignment roller that is in contact with an outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub, and a resilient member that is coupled to the alignment roller, the resilient member providing a biasing force such that the alignment roller is always in contact with the outer surface of the magnetic tape as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub; wherein the cartridge length and the cartridge width provide boundaries for a maximum wound tape diameter as the magnetic tape is wound around the cartridge hub within the cartridge body; and wherein the maximum wound tape diameter is at least approximately 97.50 millimeters.
 21. The LTO compatible tape cartridge of claim 20 wherein the cartridge length of the cartridge body is approximately 102 millimeters; wherein the cartridge width of the cartridge body is approximately 105 millimeters; and wherein the cartridge height of the cartridge body is approximately 21.50 millimeters. 